Golf: European Tour Saudi International
Venue: Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, Saudi Arabia.
Dates: Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th February 2021
Tournament Preview
The gulf swing of the European tour continues with some of the biggest names in the game arriving in Saudi Arabia for the Saudi International. The event is one of the newest on the tour having launched in 2019 and it was an instant success with many players returning in 2021. Dustin Johnson loves this event, having won it and finished second in its two incarnations and he headlines a stellar field. The prize purse is a rather handsome $3.5 million and there are the usual plethora of big names lining up to get their share and their hands on the trophy come Sunday.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
Big names from Europe and beyond will be hoping to get 2021 off to a flying start here in Saudi Arabia:
2019 Saudi International champion and current Masters Champion Dustin Johnson seems to enjoy the course in Saudi greatly and he is the justified favourite heading into this one.
Big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau is always in amongst it at the biggest events and few would bet against him featuring heavily here.
Englishman Tyrrell Hatton leads the way on the European Tour this season and his form suggests he is more than capable of mixing it with the big boys here in Saudi Arabia this week.
Fresh off the back of his controversial win at the Farmers Insurance Open, Patrick Reed will be looking to keep his impressive run of form going in favourable conditions in Saudi Arabia this week.
American Tony Finau was in superb form as he finished second behind Reed at Torrey Pines last week and his game looks to be coming together at exactly the right time.
1st Round Leader
Producing the goods over 72 holes is often the most difficult thing for any golfer to do therefore here are our first-round leader picks:
Mexican Abraham Ancer is turning into a very consistent performer on both the European and PGA Tours and he has 2 top 10 finishes in his last 4 starts.
Englishman Matt Wallace is a perennial winner on the European Tour and how he would love to get off to a good start in a stellar field in the Gulf this week.
Enigmatic Frenchman Victor Perez has enjoyed a couple of good seasons on the European Tour and his tendency to get off to quick starts makes him a good value option here.
Top 10 Finish
There are plenty of big names in contention to finish in the top 10 come Sunday in Saudi Arabia:
Young Norwegian Viktor Hovland was in contention until the very end on the PGA Tour last week and he looks to be in sublime form currently.
Fresh off his win at the Dubai Desert Classic last weekend, Paul Casey will be hoping to back it up with a strong week in Saudi Arabia against a very strong field.
Big hitting Belgian Thomas Pieters has already tasted Ryder Cup glory previously and he will be eager to be involved in 2021 and a top 10 finish here would help him greatly.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Dustin Johnson – 5.00
1st Round Leader: Abraham Ancer – 33.00
